Qualitative Models of the Human Heart: A Survey

Abstract

Cardiovascular disorders are among the pathologies that affects the largest number of people all over the world, far and away from other diseases like AIDS or diabetes. Over the years, the interest of the scientific community in the study of the human heart has been constantly high, and it will probably never going to decrease. This is undoubtedly due to the central importance that this organ has for human life and for the impact that any successful research aimed towards it could have on the health of the population of the entire world. One important tool to help in the study of the behavior of the heart is modeling. Thru an accurate modeling of the human heart, computers can help physicians, students of medicine, and medical researchers to understand the behavior of certain pathologies without the need for in vivo experimentation. This article reviews the main characteristics and properties of three well known qualitative models of the human heart, comparing their different implementations as well as their advantages and disadvantages.